LITMIR.BIZ

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of the cab. “Some of the fittings for your truck are easy to find.”

      The sun and fresh mountain air had lifted her spirits. Melanie shaded her eyes with her hand. “Remember, three weeks to get my beloved truck as good as new.”

      “Promise.” Gabe gave his best Boy Scout pledge.

      They rounded the corner of the block. Hoses, rakes and wheelbarrows lined either side of a set of open double doors. A sandwich-board sign sat on the sidewalk and proclaimed Spring Sale—Hurry In. A wooden palette held stacks of fertilizer bags with plastic buckets displayed across the front, two rows deep.

      “I love this place.” Melanie listened to the delicate tinkle of wind chimes arranged from the rafters. “Very homey.”

      “If Leon doesn’t have it, you don’t need it.” Gabe indicated they enter the store. “So far, he’s proven his motto right.”

      “Gabe.” A petite woman in her early twenties with curly brown hair and freckles across her nose stood behind the checkout counter and waved. “You’re early. It’s not Saturday yet.”

      “Guests staying at the ranch. Thought maybe they needed to pick up some stuff.” He stepped around the counter and gave her a hug. “Shayna, I want you to meet my friends, Melanie and Jason.”

      When Gabe stepped back, Shayna turned around and presented a well-rounded belly. By the looks of it, probably seven months along. Out of habit, Melanie glanced at Shayna’s left hand, surprised to see her ring finger bare.

      “Don’t think I’ve met you before. This your first time to Hawk Ridge?” She offered her hand. “Normally I hug everyone, but Buster here—” she ran her hand over the top of her belly “—gets in the way these days.”

      “I can imagine.” Melanie liked the bubbly personality, especially remembering how tiring those last few months of pregnancy were. “Like the name—Buster.”

      She caressed her belly with love. “Only because he’s ready to bust out. I’m really leaning toward Adam.”

      “Dad’s name?”

      “Oh, no!” Dimples bracketed a sweet smile. “I just like Adam.”

      “This is more baby talk than I need.” Gabe gave Shayna another squeeze. “Bud, how about you and me go over to the parts? We’ve got a list we need to fill.”

      His gaze lingered on her as he stepped away from the counter. For a moment, she thought he’d hug her, too. Instead, he motioned for Jason to follow. “Are you going to be okay without us?”

      “I think I’ll survive.” Melanie bit the inside of her cheek watching Jason puff up tall beside Gabe.

      As they walked off to the back of the store, Shayna leaned over the counter and exhaled. “It’s been a long day.” She looked over her shoulder at the young man stacking a display of windshield wiper fluid in the store window. “Hey, Russ, watch the counter. I’ll be back.”

      Russ nodded and went back to work.

      “Tough working when we have a sale.” Shayna stretched her back. “All I seem to do is waddle through the store.”

      “I remember.” Melanie nodded. She swatted at a couple of tiny black insects. “Especially when all I wanted to do was sleep.”

      “Amen. So are you looking for anything in particular?”

      Memories of her own pregnancy flooded over Melanie. Luckily she’d finished her last semester of her undergraduate degree while she was pregnant. She couldn’t imagine running across campus with a baby in tow. Tough enough juggling study time in between doctor appointments, work and laundry. Her heart went out to the salesgirl. “Actually, the cabin has all I need and we’re only staying a short while. Maybe a fruit bowl?”

      “Right over here.” Shayna turned toward the center aisle.

      Melanie waved away a few more pesky gnats. “Gabe said you’d have everything we need, or we didn’t need it.”

      “That’s my dad’s motto. He’s pretty proud of knowing what the town needs.” Shayna stopped in front of a display of ceramic bowls. “I’ll let you in on a secret. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll order it and then pretend he found it in the warehouse. It’s a game and everyone knows, so it really isn’t a secret at all.”

      “Thanks for the insider tip.” Melanie slapped a gnat on her arm. “Does the store stock plants? I think you’re overwatering.”

      Shayna nodded and pointed an aisle over. “We just received a shipment. Noticed they came in kind of buggy. Don’t know what to do about it other than pray they get bought soon.”

      “Let me see.” Melanie approached the display of leafy houseplants stacked in the middle of birdbaths, ceramic pots and a water fountain. “The fungus gnats are breeding because of the moisture. Here.” She grabbed a package off the shelf. “Put these yellow sticky tapes around the pots for a couple of days. You should see a big difference.” She dug her finger into the soil. “If you stick raw potato slices in the pot, it’ll help catch them, too.”

      “That’s great.” Shayna snagged the package of tapes and tore it open. “What did you say you’re doing here?”

      “Normally I work with stuff like this. But for the next three weeks—” she held her arms open to embrace the entire concept “—I’m planning the Fourth of July barbecue at the Davidsons’.”

      Shayna laughed so hard, Melanie thought she might go into labor right then. “Don’t understand how he roped you into it and don’t think I want to know. So, Gabe is shirking his responsibilities. Gabe!” She stood on tiptoes and yelled for him again. “Melanie seems like a nice person. Why saddle her with the picnic?”

      Gabe and Jason came round the corner. He lifted a brow and winked at Melanie. She couldn’t help it and winked back.

      “I’m doing my part for the event, honest. It’s just that Bud and I have this truck to fix, and fence to check, and water to fill, and—”

      “Yeah, yeah, I know all about the important stuff.” Shayna waved him away. “Melanie, don’t you worry about the picnic. The ladies at church know how to do it all. I’ll be helping, too.” She grinned and nodded in his direction. “Gabe’s too chicken to work with us on the committee.”

      The red infusing his face gave truth to the accusation. “Do tell.” Melanie played along. “Sweet little church ladies?”

      He tipped his hat back, eyes opened wide. “Worse than a pack of starved kittens around a bowl of milk.” He shook his finger at her and grinned. “Don’t you let them weasel out of making the best steaks a man’s ever tasted. I’m counting on you to handle this assignment with kid gloves.”

      Shayna elbowed her in the ribs. “Stick with me. Gabe will end up getting the glory, but we’ll know who did all the work.”

      He offered Melanie a lazy smile. “I always give credit where credit is due. I think this year we’ll have one of the best parties ever. And I’ll make sure everyone knows who was in charge.” He indicated the spare parts in his hands. “Hopefully terms equitable for both parties.”

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